11/12/2011 Match of the Day 2

Hello, everybody. Match of the Day 2 is here to place a full stop on

your weekend of football. And we're playing the numbers game tonight.

Two games from today. One new manager. 21 goals from yesterday.

And a special look at 125 years of Arsenal.

With me in the studio, an armoury of Arsenal legends. The most capped

Gunner ever, David O'Leary. And the most attractive, Lee Dixon!

Going head to head were Stoke against high-flying Spurs at the

Britannia. Will Martin O'Neill remove the

darkness at the Stadium of Light? His Sunderland side faced fellow

strugglers Blackburn. Also, with Arsenal celebrating

their 125th birthday yesterday, we gatecrashed the party.

And, with over 1,300 Arsenal appearances between the three of us

in the studio, we'll balance the books by starting with Spurs, and

their tough away trip to the One thing about Stoke, you know

what you are going to get, a set piece examination. Nine of their 14

goals have come from those very situations. And record signing

Peter Crouch has more than played his part since his move. 3 lead to

goals so far from him and he would love to add to that tally today.

But Harry and company hadn't done so badly since he left, they have

turned into genuine title contender needs -- winning 10 out of their

Tottenham make it 12 league games unbeaten it will be their best run

since 1984. Tony Pulis has orchestrated draws against

Manchester United and Chelsea. A victory against Liverpool, and a

carving Cup win against Harry Redknapp.

A Woodgate is at right back. In the absence of Wilkinson. Peter Crouch

and Etherington also face their old side.

Tottenham make only one change. Gareth Bale has been passed fit to

play. Woodgate who makes 65 games for

opened up the scoring in the opening seconds. Against his old

team. He scored two goals in his 3 1/2 years at Spurs. Foiled by Brad

chasing Tottenham are behind. The cross by Shotton was deflected.

They should have dealt with it better than that. Etherington

followed it up. They thought it might have been hand ball by Peter

Crouch. Peter Crouch played such a leading role. They had a very good

dipping late. It took a good save Shotton has done so well on the

against his old club, this is becoming a habit for Etherington

against Spurs. Again, undone in the air. Etherington coming in, around

the back. He looked it in -- looped then retreated. That is a corner.

Seven minutes into the second half. Kyle Walker, a real danger for

stoat. It just went wide. It bounced off Woodgate, Stoke got

lucky. Spurs are pouring it on now. The corner taken short. Man down

very late, it is a penalty! Whelan, the offender. You can see there is

where the contact was, one of the Sinn. Minimal contact but it is the

way Luka Modric went down belatedly that has angered Stoke. Penalty

for the 8th time. -- scores. Very Parker coming into the line.

Splendid goalkeeping. He pushed it away. Spurs are dominating now.

Luka Modric with the corner kick. A bit of push and shove between

Adebayor and Robert Huth. Spurs claiming Kaboul was pulled back by

stretched. Gareth Bale. Adebayor. Luka Modric. Scott Parker was in

space. Luka Modric went for goal. Sound goalkeeping again. Dipping

late, good goalkeeping. Luka Modric The keeper didn't get it, Kaboul,

away from the line. Adebayor has to at that. Wilson playing him on?

Look at that for a pass by Luka Modric into the box. The keeper

couldn't hold it. Tottenham thought it might have hit the elbow of

Shawcross. And it looked like that Deflected from Woodgate. A corner

kick. Pushing hard for an equaliser Another Tottenham appeal for a

penalty. Defoe ran straight to the referee. Was that hand ball? It

bounced on his knee. Hit him on the arms, I don't in the referee could

have given that. Tottenham look such a better team in the second

half. England fans hope that he card, the first one was for dissent,

the second one was innocuous, just There is not much in that at all.

that is terrific goalkeeping. Shawcross, coming away from goal,

turning a very good head on to the target. It came at Friedel like a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

Tottenham Hotspur, saved them. Why haven't got enough time. It is

their first defeat since the Another win for Stoke and another

lesson in the art of the set-piece. The Potters are now up to 8th place,

following this win. It is arguably their best of the season. As for

Spurs, this was their first defeat since August. But Harry was not

happy with some key decisions that went against them. In the end, it

was Stoke's date. The first 25 minutes I thought we did well. When

you play against a top team, they will have periods where they

dominate the ball. Then you know they will create chances. We need a

little bit of luck, as everybody does against the top three or four

sites. We got some at times, but you can't take credit away from the

players. Their effort, their commitment. They really deserve to

come up with something today. Adebayor was maybe two yards onside,

you know? How the linesman can't see that, when the ball was played.

There was a blatant handball on the line. It came across the goal, got

rattled back in. Two and balls in the second half. The referee has

missed both of them, unfortunately. But that is how it goes. First half,

we didn't play well and they played well. We battered them in the

second half. You did get some luck with some of the decisions that

went your way, do you understand why Harry feels aggrieved? Don't

get me involved with referees! There was a lot of pressure and it

was about how we defended as a team. I thought we did that brilliantly.

We got ourselves running into the ground and it was a great result.

great game for the neutrals. Stokes started off fantastically well.

Hungry. Stoke at their best. They hadn't been like that for a while.

They hustled and you need to do that. What Harry will be

disappointed about is that I think they knew how Stoke would come out

from the start. They will have trained, Dunn set plays. Harry

would have expected his big players, the big centre half's, to go and

sort out the first ball and dominate that department. Half-time,

they deserve to be up because they played well. Tottenham were

disappointing. He won't be the only manager to go there and get done.

You could argue that a yardstick to all teams seasons is how they do at

the reputation -- Britannia? Stoke have this reputation, and they do

get the ball forward and put teams under pressure. But they've got

areas. Shawcross should do better. Straight away, panic in the

Tottenham defence. Another throw-in comes in. It is about how they play.

Here, you would normally put it back to the goalkeeper, kick it

upfield. But they try to play from the back. Wilson, good bit of skill.

He passes it out to Etherington, he is away. Eddington gets the ball,

takes Walker on. He is a tricky play and he gets his shot away.

Defensively, they are tight. They are tight. A little bit kamikaze.

But strikers are lazy coming out and you can usually catch them

offside. You have all got to be in June. It is very dangerous. But how

hungry they are. That is how Stoke were in the first half. They really

wanted to get at Tottenham. Any time a Tottenham player was on the

ball, a few players were Normally when you close down Spurs

players, they have enough skill to get around. But a little bit tardy

in the first half? I thought they started really poorly. Very sloppy

here. The Stoke midfield, not really putting pressure on. Modric

can just knocked the ball. But he over hits it. Not like him. Parker,

five-yard pass, out of play. Not good enough. The ball in the box,

should be defending better. Look at that space. Playing Stoke, you know

that it is going to drop into the box. Etherington get it away. Then

they started getting bored, some great balls into the box. Walker,

Scott Parker, a great save from Sorensen. This is when Tottenham

really came back into it. Adebayor, great angle. You think, they have a

great chance because he is capable of putting this into the net. It is

Second half, he changed it because he had the players that suited it.

He pushed two full-backs much further up. They got a lot more of

the play and they started dominating it. The passing game

came into it. They were bit unlucky with some of the decisions. I am

sure that Stoke have sat, two or three points down in the game

because of what a referee has done. They say it evens itself out. But a

The first goal from Peter Crouch, that is handball. How the linesman

didn't see that, I don't know. referee was in a great position as

well. You don't get to see him, but he is in a good position. Foul, no

doubt about that. Foul on Gallas? Possibly. There is the first one as

it comes out. Is this off his head? No, handball on the line from

Shawcross. It goes out to the far side of Vieri and comes back in.

Luck at the Stoke player on the Adebayor is offside. It comes to

him. These are the decisions that went against him. Harry will be

distraught. Chris Foy probably got this one right. He got three or

four wrong. I think he got the sending off wrong. He got booked

for dissent. The second one, I Were the second yellow card had

been a yellow card if he hadn't been booked before? Should referees

have to think about it a little bit more when they are going off?

point. I don't think what he did, the second offence, I don't think

that deserves a second card that will take you off. You've got to

have common sense, otherwise there will be nobody on the pitch. Things

are about to get a little steamy. Tal-gate. Well spotted. Take us

through this. -- towel-gate. They took them off the ball boys. So he

has something so on into his shirt. You can see it. It is almost like a

stitched into how all. Is it illegal? I don't know, but it is

clever. You heard it here first. Before we head on, let's pause for

If you haven't seen it, it is in- depth football chat and forensic

insight. If you have, you know that is a lie! Don't forget that Match

of the Day 2 is available on BBCi player all season. Next week, Match

of the Day 2 is back at 10 o'clock on BBC Two. QPR and Manchester

United, Villa, Liverpool, Spurs and Sunderland and Manchester City and

Arsenal. Still to come, a trip down memory

lane for Arsenal fans on the weekend of their 125th birthday and

all the action from yesterday. Now to the north-east, as Sunderland

fans turned out in force to welcome a bespectacled, slightly nerdy

Northern Irishman. You cannot go wrong with one of them. Kids my age

were choosing the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United. I

took Sunderland. Self confessed support a Martin O'Neill comes to

the Stadium of Light and Sunderland fans cannot believe it. He is the

number one man who they hope will bring back happier days. But

another defeat last week indicates the tough job that he has. What

Steve Kean would give for such adulation from Blackburn fans. Even

a Yakubu inspired win last week didn't stop the Dubois, as feelings

were made it clear about the manager and the owners. -- B boo-

gone on a long time. Finally it is the right time for Martin O'Neill

and Sunderland to be pronounced manager and club. The honeymoon?

Well, it is meant to start immediately. A surprise starting

his first Sunderland team, Connor Wickham. He has recovered from a

knee problem earlier than expected and is in for the injured Nicklas

Bendtner. Also a first start since Sunderland. It was deflected over

the top. Good work from Sessegnon. There were groans from around the

ground, many thought that he had already. Like he has never been

away, right back into managerial taken down? Yakubu thought so,

Peter Walton didn't. He got his eye on the ball, he had to get there

then he followed him. It was a poor touch that caused the problem for

Larsson. He came in with studs Deflected and it is in! Vukcevic.

They have barely had the ball in the Sunderland box. Now they have.

Simon Vukcevic has his first goal for Blackburn. Suspicion of

offside? In line must be the verdict. He was quicker to it than

any Sunderland defender. A pretty understated celebration, but it

save by Paul Robinson. That looked, for all the world, like Sunderland

were going to be ready. Josh Lowe made a mess of it. On a plate for

Richardson, but the big figure of Paul Robinson was there in a flash.

Not yet, Martin, you can't hop It will not going for Sunderland

yet. It will not go in for Richardson. An important

intervention. How Steve Kean would want to get the sort of acclaim

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

that Sunderland fans had given Steve Bruce. Plenty of possession,

not enough goals. Not enough He got the verdict and he got the

free kick for Sunderland, as the ball goes into his net. Has he got

lucky? Sambo was seemingly oblivious. He has his back to it

and the eye on the ball. I don't think he backed into the key battle.

good factor that was right to run this field? -- right around. He was

caught late. A great tackle from Colback. But that one was not.

Larsson struck it pretty well but not on target. If anything, he got

just a little bit too much car or on that. Martin O'Neill trying to

figure out a way through. It is all very busy but there is no end

for Blackburn. Not just accidental. That is now three. The yellow card

with macro was not quite certain it was clearing his crossbar. A fair

bet to say Steve Kean prefers being away from home than Ewood Park at

Robinson kept it out. -- and on the pressure, Blackburn

continued to absorb it all -- continue to pile on the pressure.

Larsson, saved by Robinson. An battled for it. McLean shot, it was

smothered, and it is over the crossbar as Sessegnon tried

something different. Blackburn are looking a little more likely to

score. That would have been special. Blackburn are minutes away from

recording back to back Premier League victories for the first time

Vaughan! His first goal for Sunderland will be one to savour

for him, that couldn't have been any crisper. Into the corner at

some speed. Look at the reaction. biased Blackburn eyes, could claim

Formica was guilty. Martin O'Neill is just directing operations. He is

absolute beauty! Sunderland have turned it around. Their

celebrations tell part of the story, you should see what is happening in

the dugout. Robinson was caught out. Over the top of the wall, as

precise as any free kick comes. Larsson was then -- the Villa and a

week ago when he missed. Now, the perfect start for Martin O'Neill

Welcome back, a superhero return to football. It looked bleak for the

Black cats for much of the match. A perfect start for the new man. As

for Blackburn, another bad day. Their 9th defeat in a troubled

season. He looked like you had never been

away and you looked like you enjoyed it. I enjoyed the

equalising goal and the winning goal immensely. The rest of it, you

call that enjoyment? A fantastic equaliser, the place lifted. For

Larsson to get the winning goal. Her I bet it's the first time you

have heard the place like that? I've played here last season and I

knew the atmosphere was good. Today, it was definitely you could feel it.

We feel very disappointed, we had a good goal, the second goal. There

was a foul given against Samba when Westwood came down. We are puzzled

about that. There will be talked about managing expectations.

Expectation and hope is what keeps us going. Absolute the right, the

crowd were behind the team. What an amazing feeling. Of course we made

a couple of misplaced passes. The occasional frustration, but overall,

it was very positive from every one today. An early goal from Blackburn.

It was so much attack against chances, Sunderland, but they could

not put the ball in the net. Lowe had a nightmare. A good save.

little later, the ball went to him again, just past the post. A great

save by Robinson. They didn't get the quality balls into the box,

letting defenders get back. A wasted ball. They made

substitutions, that was a good thing. Ji Dong-Won and McLean. He

lifted the whole ground. Larsson got the shot away. It led to that,

a wonder goal. It is like your own struggle headed it down for you.

Watch Robinson. His defenders go in front of him, he cannot see it.

poor header but a great strike. A silly free kick to give away. When

you have got Larsson, in the dying seconds. Personally, there was

another shot, I thought Sunderland Blackburn were denied a goal.

I think that was a legitimate goal. The way the second half went, it

was an attack free defence. Blackburn it sat deeper in their

own box and Sunderland got stronger. At the end of the game, they

deserved it. Blackburn fans did have much to cheer about. Something

positive for Blackburn? Samba. I have seen him a few times playing.

Every time I have seen him, big heading, he was fantastic. He has

this knack of heading the ball away. If Blackburn have a chance of

staying, they need to keep this lad. The physical side of his game, he

is a centre half who wants to headed away. A real contrast on and

off the pitch. A team resurgence, the crowd alive again, a new

manager. Martin O'Neill has made a huge difference, what are your

thoughts on the man himself? It is great he is back in the game. You

can see after 16 months, he is relaxed. Typical Martin! They are

passionate fans, they want to be excited again. He is the man to do

that. It is a job he really wanted. They have moved out of the bottom

three and I don't think you will see them there again. In the 16

months he has been out, where does that energy go when he is at home?

I should mention for Blackburn, worrying injuries, Salgado, Givet.

They haven't got the biggest squad in the world. Losing two, three.

They were unlucky. They were restricted. I thought they made

life very easy for Sunderland in the second half. They brought the

goals on. Thank you. That's the highlights of today's

games. But Match of the Day 2 is bigger and longer than ever before,

so we can bring you even more football. Yesterday, as Arsenal

celebrated 125 years, Kevin Day was the uninvited guest at the party,

And we start with a few words from 6p for leather and bases. Factory

hardened arms. A century and a quarter Ford, battles ahead. From

those first heavy steps, men would become gods. Once upon a time, some

tough factory workers in south London set up a football team. They

thought they would try their luck north of the river. Before finally

moving here. And the rest as they say it is magnificent history.

Every player in that first team donated 6p to buy the football.

Which is why a sixpenny piece is used for the toss up today. I am

going to make this the greatest club in the world. Herbert Chapman

was as good as his word, he introduced shirt numbers,

revolutionised tactics and for a time in the 30s, the club dominated

football. That was when men were Adams, where is that pose from?

Thierry Henry, once scored 30 four- A fundamental cog in the greatest

offence the club has produced? I hope he didn't read that, it will

go to his head. We have a laugh. Don't we just? Where is your

statue? I don't know, they haven't made it. Well, they have, but the

arm keeps popping down. When you lie in this dressing room, do you

miss it? He's over there, putting the kit out, you start to get the

feeling of pre-match. That is probably the thing you miss the

most of all. This nervousness. Somebody in your family was

responsible for those colours? great, great grandfather was

responsible for bringing the red- and-white kit from Nottingham

Forest. It is because of your great, great grandfather that Arsenal are

wearing red shirts? Absolutely. am going to meet some legends. They

keep them under special room It's like trying to keep kittens in

You are looking the sharpest legend. The thing is, I've got to go and do

a radio show. This is my motorbike gear. You've done all right by

yourself? Since you left Palace? would say to Palace fans, don't

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 46 seconds

hate because it went OK. Let's hand watching the game must be wondering

where a goal was going to come from. Van Persie! He's got it! Great ball

pass. Goodness me, look at that for technical stop right across a

stationary goalkeeper. -- Look at that for technique. Right across a

stationary goalkeeper. Fellaini! The youngster has had a chance to

shoot, what a name Conor McAleny could have made for himself.

We have been talking to some legends of the past, here's one for

the future. Joe Wilson, a traditional Arsenal score, 1-0 to

the Arsenal. He seems to be coming up with the goods this year. Not

just this year, I am sure one year he will have his own statue. He has

Here were the Arsenal Legends For You? My favourite player of all

time is Dennis Bergkamp. Him, Robert Pires, the invincible so.

That year, the way they went through the season. How are you

feeling? I'm feeling good. Hopefully I will be back as soon as

possible. How nice to end with a word from Arsenal's future. Here is

to another 125 years of glorious football.

I'm not sure Spurs fans would agree with that. But it was a massive day

at the Emirates. You were both involved. Tell me what it was like.

It was a great day. When they do things, they do it right. Some of

my memory is, Dickov offering me a drink. That is once every 125

years! I never thought I would see in the directors' box someone with

what Ian Wright had on being allowed in. The best thing for me

was meeting all of the old guys. Yoof-speak on the phone now and

again. But to -- you speak on the phone now and again, but to see

them. The build-up beforehand, the way we went out onto the pitch, the

reception, the way the game was set up. Even down to a great friend of

ours, David Ross Castle -- David Rocastle, he was there representing

them. They span generations. Chapman, who I did know a huge

amount about, I was reading about him. He was known as the shrewdest

operator in the transfer market in the 20s. He signed David Jack, in

the official Arsenal 50 top players of all time. He reportedly tipped

the barman to pounds to get the Bolton Wanderers directors drunk so

he could get them cheaper. It still goes on like that, but it is �2

million. You have been at loggerheads, work he by reason see

Arsenal all-time 11? It was really difficult. We had to agree.

Everybody will have their opinion at home. We think we have nearly

In my opinion, nobody is better than Pat Jennings. I was going for

David Seaman. Even though I played with David, to me, Pat Jennings was

the best. We mentioned David Rocastle, George Armstrong. Bless

them, they are not here any more. We picked one of those, you can't

fit them all on the pitch. Brady is as good a midfield player as I have

seen anywhere. I think Vieira has a chance as well. It has to be said,

Pat Rice was definitely the best player in that position. All-time

moment for Arsenal. Was it hard for you to agree? At Anfield.

doesn't get any better than that. The last kick of the last game at

the end of the season. You will not enjoy this bit. Michael Thomas, in

case you want to know. Fantasy stuff. You had to go to such a

great club, dominating for so long, and go and beat them by two clean

goals. You get the winner in injury time. Fairy-tale stuff. A very

special day for a special club. Bless him. He was young, quiet,

unassuming. You want to take that make-up off. Six more games run

yesterday. For everyone out at their Christmas parties last night,

off he went to bed after the X Lambert's men. They managed to

score four, despite being denied a penalty midway through the first

half. The officials did give Norwich a helping hand soon after,

awarding a cornet for this. Free header! Finally, in. Norwich have

the breakthrough. It looked as though it was Hoolahan with the

final touch. It was scrappy Anne Dudley. But Norwich will not worry

about that. -- Scratby and ugly. Demba Ba! Newcastle are back on

terms. Back in again towards Grant Holt. Norwich are in front again.

That inadvertently came all the way through to profits. Morison. --

Martin. And he is off. Newcastle's a day goes from bad to worse. Demba

Ba, down the middle. Demba Ba for Newcastle! 3-2. Bradley Johnson

with a free kick. An inviting one. Grant Holt scores his second.

the Hawthorns to lift them out of the bottom three, at least for a

day. Brunt will hit it. Of the bath. I think it got the merest of

touches from the fingers of Al Habsi. The visitors were unlucky

not to be awarded a spot-kick after David Jones was bundled over in the

box, especially when you see that West Brom were awarded a free kick

by a bit of hand-holding. Reid! So nonchalant. And yet exquisite. A

his 46th shot of the season. At last, his first goal. Tracks worn

away, goes the other. Was he Scharner hit it over. Dorrans was

booked late on for diving. You can make your own mind up. Needless to

say, Roy Hodgson was not happy. Villa's first away win of the

season made it 12 defeats from 15 for bottom side Bolton away from

home, who were unlucky not to fall behind early after Petrov's mess.

Stand-in keeper Brad Kazan denied Chris Eagles. Shay Given sealed his

approval with a kiss. Decent chance! Marc Albrighton. Petrov,

the deflection carries a 10. Sturley and Pat drop, for Aston

Villa. Brad Guzan was on hand again. But he couldn't stop everything.

Bolton are back in it, Ivan Klasnic. It could open up for Aston Villa.

Petrov has done really well. Darren Bent command wide. He is still

wondering how it didn't end up in the back of the net. Michel Vorm

again produced heroics in the Swansea goal, as Brendan Rodgers's

side kept up their impressive home form, albeit with a little help

foot. It was sufficient to take it into the back of the net. Great

save! What a save from Michel Vorm. After this, the Michel Vorm show

really started. He saved from Dempsey, before watching John Arne

Riise's free kick go wide. Andy Johnson was the next to be

frustrated. August Deane hit the post as the Swans looked to double

their lead. -- Augustine. A combination of Danny Graham and

Mark Gower should have gone better. But it wasn't long before we got

some more Michel Vorm magic. He got away from Routledge. He goes down

taken himself out of the six-yard box and he has been yellow-carded

for slowing the process down. But Michel Vorm has been terrific since

That is the killer. Danny Graham. Swansea are back to winning ways.

Once again, Luis Suarez grab the headlines as a dominant Liverpool

took all three points at Anfield. The Uruguayan took centre stage

from the off. His header was held by Radek Cerny. He twice flashed

the ball across the goal, but nobody could apply the finish.

Lovely ball by Dirk Kuyt. He's onside, Maxi Rodriguez. Good save

by Radek Cerny. Suarez is off after the loose ball. The Rangers keeper

kept out Suarez. But he didn't have A decent ball, 1-0. Luis Suarez. 69

deny Maxi Rodriguez. QPR came into it later on. Fowler and claimed a

penalty. At the other end, Shaun Wright-Phillips almost scored a

cracking own goal. A bad week for Manchester United after their

Champions League exit. But they ended on a high. Wayne Rooney found

his goalscoring boots. Nani onside, and scores. 1-0 to Manchester

United. Rooney arrives. That is the end of his scoring drought. He has

looked in the mood since the first whistle. Rooney, Johnson ahead of

him. He nearly crept past Hennessey. Jarvis. We know he can take on

Smalling on the outside. He does well. Fletcher's headache gives

Wolves a goal. It's right at the start of the second half. Space

opens up. Balenciaga, head down and Jones, Macheda got in there. Still

4-1. They could have had five or He was very special. He can be a

very special player. �16 million, I think? No-brainer. If a player that

could go on and BA financed -- by just United legend, fantastic

player. Big game tomorrow, commentary on BBC 5 Live? Massive

game for Chelsea. If they want to be contenders, they got to win. Man

City can get over their Champions League defeat. Thank you for coming

in. A real pleasure. A look at the table. Before that, all of today's

Martin leaves Keane smarting as he makes a winning start. The Black

Cats beat Blackburn at the Late, Late Show. And Stokey-dokey, as

Tony Pulis beats Harry's high- fliers. If Chelsea beat Manchester

fliers. If Chelsea beat Manchester City tomorrow, they will move above

them into third. Still, after victory over Spurs, go to 8th. At

the other end, Sunderland are out of the bottom three after that

victory. The Black Cats and as extinct. Rovers remain 19th, four

As Martin O'Neill began life as the manager of the team he supported as

a boy. And they say romance is David Vaughan! What a goal! He is